Q&A for How to Take a Bath with a New Piercing

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Question

Can I wash my hair in the tub after getting an ear piercing?

Community Answer

I wouldn't recommend it, but if you have to, try to avoid getting soap in the piercing.

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Question

How many times should I clean the piercing? Should I use just the saline water and nothing else?

Community Answer

You should be soaking your piercing 2-3 times a day in warm saline water. You shouldn't need anything else to clean your piercing.

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Question

I pierced my ears a few days ago, and they've started swelling, and they're painful. What do I do?

Community Answer

If the area is red, swollen, and leaking pus, it may be infected. Soak the piercing 2-3 times per day in a mixture of warm (not hot) water and non-iodized salt. Talk to your doctor to make sure you don't need antibiotics.

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Question

I am getting a second lobe piercing, can I take a bath if I am not washing my hair?

Lauren Sowerbutts

Community Answer

Yes, you should be fine, just try not to submerge your ears. If they do get wet, make sure you clean the piercing and dry it thoroughly afterwards.

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Question

Do I dry the piercing first before cleaning my ears? Or vice versa?

BodyBlingPiercings

Community Answer

When cleaning your piercing(s), if they are wet from a bath/swimming, pat them dry before you start cleaning.

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Question

I just got my belly button done today, and I have to do swimming in a few days. What should I do?

Community Answer

Don't swim. It will get infected, and you could end up losing the piercing or getting a nasty infection. You can try covering it with a waterproof bandage, but it could still get infected.

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Question

I got an ear piercing a week ago but it still swollen with a little bit of redness. I can't sleep because it hurts. Is this normal?

JLuckenbill

Community Answer

Your piercing will be tender for several weeks, and yes, it's normal. If it's hurting more or leaking pus, that could be an infection, so talk to your doctor. Otherwise, try rolling up a clean t-shirt and making a u-shape around your ear (leaving the space below your ear empty) on top of your pillow so that you put less pressure on your ear.

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Question

I got my ears pierced 3 days ago. When I shower do I remove the new earrings or shower with them in and just be careful to not let soap on them?

Community Answer

Do not take your earrings out until 6 months have passed, after a shower clean your piercing with the alcohol or whatever was prescribed to you by the piercer.

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Question

How do I clean my belly piercing ?

Community Answer

Use alcohol or whatever was prescribed to you by the piercer and use either a Q-tip or cotton swab to put the liquid on it and rub it around the piercing.

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Question

I got my nose and belly pierced and I hit it on accident. I used Dial soap. Can I use that soap to wash up with as well and do you just pat it ever time you clean it just in case there is still soap?

Community Answer

Use alcohol to clean the piercing after it being in contact with any soap. And just be really careful to make sure it doesn't get hit anymore, and don't just pat it after soap was there, use alcohol to wash it out.

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Question

How do you know when you're allowed to change a navel piercing?

Community Answer

After four months, you should be able to take the piercing out and change it. But don't leave it out for a long time, otherwise it will close up.

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Question

I just got my cartilage pierced today. How long should I wait to switch these out for a different pair to put in my ear?

Community Answer

Most piercers advise for you to wait at least 6 weeks as cartilage piercings are not just through skin and need extra time to heal up and you are less likely to get infected. However, some people change them after just 2 weeks and experience no problems.

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Question

How do you know when you're allowed to change a navel piercing?

Skylar van Voorst

Community Answer

The general rule of thumb is to wait six months after getting the piercing. The next step is to see if you can move your piercing without any pain or discomfort. Also, check if there is any crust on the piercing, from the discharge. If neither of those things happens then after six months you should be good to change your piercing.

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Question

Can I get a helix or cartilage piercing done on the same day I get a second lobe piercing?

Skylar van Voorst

Community Answer

Yes, you can. It might be painful to get multiple piercings at once but it is perfectly okay to do this!

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Question

I’m thinking of getting a navel but I only have a tub at home. Is it fine if I take a bath every day with the navel piercing?

Skylar van Voorst

Community Answer

It is safe to take a bath with a fresh piercing, just try not to use harsh chemicals or washes when in the bath. Try to stick with something natural for the first couple of months till your piercing is a little more protective against it.

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Question

I got my belly button pierced, and my normal tattoist said it was pierced too deeply. Ive been cleaning it but it is leaking yellow pus. What do I do?

JLuckenbill

Community Answer

Talk to your doctor about whether you need antibiotics or not. Yellow pus is a sign of infection.

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Question

How long until I can take the earring out of my new lobe piercing?

Community Answer

With a lobe piercing, it can heal in 4 to 6 weeks, but you should wait until it's completely healed before switching out your earring.

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Question

I got my ears pierced today and I need to take a shower. Should I cover the piercings with a plaster or medical tape?

Community Answer

You don't have to cover the piercing. Just be careful around the piercing as you shower, and then clean it when you get out.

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Question

What should I do when I'm done bathing?

Community Answer

When you're done bathing, rinse your piercing with clean water and then clean it with a sterile saline solution.

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Question

I have a helix piercing. I got it yesterday, and I need to wash my hair. My hair is long, and I'm a girl. What should I do?

Community Answer

Wash your hair in the shower. Just be careful around your piercing and make sure to clean the piercing when you're done.

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